Pampanga ranks 4th among the most flood-prone areas in the Philippines, with an exposure score of 83.49, according to the WorldRiskReport 2025 published by Bündnis Entwicklung Hilft (BEH) and Ruhr University Bochum. The report featured a locally adapted exposure analysis that emphasized river and coastal flooding across Philippine provinces.

Topping the list is Cagayan (88.10), followed by Agusan del Norte (87.51), Pangasinan (85.19), Pampanga (83.49), and Maguindanao (82.94). Metro Manila ranked 6th with a score of 81.12, with its low-lying terrain and high soil sealing (impervious surfaces) contributing to frequent urban flash floods during heavy rainfall. These highly ranked provinces typically share lowland basin locations with flat topography, leading to slow drainage and prolonged flooding.

On a global scale, the Philippines recorded a Very High flood risk score of 50.05, ranking 9th worldwide for river and coastal flood vulnerability.

Source: Daily Guardian

Credits: Francis Allan L. Angelo